CIW Training and Certification FAQs

General Program Questions

1. What skills are taught in the CIW training program?

CIW consists of multiple training and certification tracks that map to industry job roles. No matter which pathway(s) you pursue, you learn the latest technologies and job skills that make you an innovator in Web and Internet technologies. Earning CIW certification proves you are ready to put these skills to work for your employer. Following are some of the skills you learn while pursuing CIW certifications:

CIW Web Foundations Associate — basic knowledge of Internet technologies, Web authoring with HTML5, network infrastructure and troubleshooting, and business skills such as project management.

CIW Web Design Professional— specialized knowledge of Web site design methodologies and technologies, e-commerce site design strategies and practices, and various site development tools.

CIW Web Development Professional — specialized knowledge of Web development languages such as JavaScript and Perl, as well as relational database design skills.

CIW Web Security Associate, Specialist and Professional — strategies and tools for protecting an organization's assets and operations. CIW offers three certified levels of expertise in conjunction with security certifications from CompTIA, ISC2 and others. Get more details about these pathways and access links to the individual certifications.

2. How often is the CIW courseware revised?

We respond directly to technology advances and market demand for updated skills. The CIW Advisory Council — a team of influential educators, corporations, policymakers and nonprofit organizations — meets regularly to identify the skills and knowledge that students and employees need in the current job market. The Advisory Council then helps to define new skills and exam objectives for CIW. Those objectives become the roadmap for developing or updating CIW programs.

3. Why should I certify with CIW?

Take a look at our About CIW page.

4. What sets CIW apart from vendor-specific certifications?

A vendor-specific certification validates an individual's skills and knowledge in using one or more particular products. Such a certification limits skills validation to that product and/or vendor. The CIW program is vendor-neutral, meaning that the program focuses on the essential skills needed to perform job roles rather than simply use specific products.

However, CIW does not ignore essential tools and applications. CIW verifies your abilities to use a broad range of cutting-edge technologies and tools. You learn about multiple vendor tools, their underlying technologies and how they are used in business situations — essential because many companies' technology infrastructures are hybrids of multiple vendors.

5. Does the vendor-neutral CIW certification work well with vendor-specific certifications?

With CIW, you learn the underlying technologies common to many vendors' products. This provides a solid foundation for individuals pursuing specialized study in vendor-specific certification programs. People who are CIW-certified find it easier to pass vendor-specific certification exams because they know the core technologies and standards used by vendor-specific applications.

6. Can anyone pursue CIW certification? Or do I need prior knowledge, certifications, qualifications or experience?

Anyone interested in pursuing or enhancing a career in Internet technologies or other IT-related fields will benefit from earning CIW certification. No prerequisites are necessary to earn any CIW certification. The only requirement is passing scores on relevant certification exams.

However, the certification exams are challenging and comprehensive. CIW offers training programs and curriculum to teach the knowledge and skills tested on the certification exams. These courses are not required before taking CIW exams or to earn CIW certifications, but for many candidates they are extremely helpful.

7. How do I get started on becoming CIW-certified?

The first step is to begin your training in CIW topics and skills. Visit the Training Locator page to see if there is an Authorized Training Partner (ATP) near you. You can also visit our CIW Online Store to purchase CIW self-study materials, assessment tools and more. When you are ready to take CIW certification exams, check with your training provider, or visit our Taking a CIW Exam page.

8. How long does it take to get CIW-certified?

There is no set time period for earning CIW certifications. Certifications are awarded when exams have been passed and other requirements have been met. Preparing to take and pass CIW exams is a personal matter that depends on your existing knowledge level and experience: Some students have more to learn and need more time than others. We suggest you discuss your training requirements with your local academic institution or learning center to determine an appropriate program for your needs. Our learning partners — which include universities, learning centers, community colleges and secondary institutions around the world — can further help you plan your study.

9. Does my CIW certification ever expire?

CIW certifications do not expire. Once CIW certified, always CIW certified. However, the CIW skills objectives and certification exams are revised periodically when the industry dictates that updates are needed. CIW strongly encourages candidates to update their certification status by taking new versions of exams and earning the latest version of each certification, in order to demonstrate their current skills to the job marketplace.

10. Are CIW certifications valuable to someone who is not in an IT job role?

CIW certification can be helpful for many professionals — in marketing, design, public relations or office administration, for example — who need to demonstrate their skills in the Internet technologies related to their jobs. Individuals in any job roles in which computers, technology and the Internet are primary tools by which to do business can benefit from earning CIW certification.

11. What is the relationship between CIW/Certification Partners and Habitat For Humanity?

There is no formal relationship between Certification Partners and Habitat For Humanity. Some of the labs within the Official CIW Curriculum are based on the Habitat Web site, which is useful for illustrating many of the Web site construction principles discussed in the official courseware. We have obtained permission from Habitat For Humanity to use this material, and representation of its site in this context is with Habitat's knowledge and permission.

12. Whom should I contact if I have additional questions about CIW?

Simply complete and submit our brief Contact Form. We will respond to you promptly.

13. What does the CIW acronym stand for?

The CIW brand has come to represent quality standards in IT job skills certification and education. The program's original name has evolved and we now simply use the term CIW to emphasize the brand. CIW is a family of professional certifications and associated curriculum.

Originally, CIW stood for Certified Internet Webmaster (CIW). Since then, the CIW program grew to include job-role certifications that exceed the boundaries of the Internet and the role of the Webmaster. CIW certifications now validate skills and expertise in more advanced and diverse IT disciplines, such as server administration, security, application development, programming languages and enterprise solutions, as well as computer and Web skills practical for every job. As such, the formal program title was modified for the 21st century to Certified Internet Web Professional.

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Recent CIW Program Changes

14. Why are you no longer awarding certain CIW certifications?

Some changes to CIW certifications are related to partnerships that CIW has developed. Other changes reflect the need for CIW to focus more closely on Web-based technologies. Note that most of the certification changes involve replacement with equivalent or similar CIW certifications that carry new titles.

15. I hold a CIW certification that was retired in 2011. Can I still claim to hold this certification on my résumé?

Yes, you can cite any current or past CIW certification on your résumé. However, CIW will no longer market or award the retired certifications in the future. CIW certifications reflect an uncommon level of professionalism and technical skill, and represent a significant personal achievement. Taking new versions of exams and earning the latest version of each certification demonstrates to the job marketplace your current skills, your commitment to evolving technologies and your initiative.

16. What CIW certifications are you now awarding?

We are now awarding the following CIW certifications:

Web Foundations Associate series

• CIW Internet Business Associate certification (exam 1D0-61A)
• CIW Site Development Associate certification (exam 1D0-61B)
• CIW Network Technology Associate certification (exam 1D0-61C)
• CIW Web Foundations Associate certification (exam 1D0-610 or all three component exams, 1D0-61A, 1D0-61B and 1D0-61C)

Web and Mobile Design series

• CIW Advanced HTML5 & CSS3 Specialist (exam 1D0-620)
• CIW User Interface Designer (exam 1D0-621)
• CIW Social Media Strategist (exam 1D0-623)
• CIW Data Analyst (exam 1D0-622)

Web Design series

• CIW Web Design Specialist (exam 1D0-520)
• CIW E-Commerce Specialist (exam 1D0-525)
• Web Design Professional (both exams 1D0-520 and 1D0-525)

Web Development series

• CIW JavaScript Specialist (exam 1D0-735)
• CIW Perl Specialist (exam 1D0-437)
• CIW Database Design Specialist (1D0-541)
• Web Development Professional (exams 1D0-735, 1D0-437 and 1D0-541)

Web Security series

• CIW Web Security Associate (exam 1D0-571)
• CIW Web Security Specialist (exam 1D0-571, plus any ONE third-party exam listed here)
• CIW Web Security Professional (exam 1D0-571, plus any TWO third-party exams listed here)

Some of these certifications are based on CIW exams that have existed for some time. We have received market feedback that CIW should award certifications based on each of these exams.

17. If I earn all three of the modular CIW Associate certifications, I will also be awarded CIW Web Foundations Associate status?

Yes. If you earn the Internet Business Associate, Site Development Associate and Network Technology Associate certifications by passing the individual exams (1D0-61A, 1D0-61B and 1D0-61C), then you will also be awarded the CIW Web Foundations Associate certification status.

18. If I pass the CIW Web Foundations Associate exam, will I also receive the three modular certifications?

No. When you earn the CIW Web Foundations Associate certification by successfully taking and passing the comprehensive 1D0-610 exam, you will not receive the modular CIW Internet Business Associate, CIW Site Development Associate and CIW Network Technology Associate certifications. The modular designations are awarded to provide proof of smaller, more focused skill sets, as well as to show a path of progression. Our research shows that those who elect to take the single comprehensive exam generally possess more experience and larger skill sets, and instead use more advanced certifications to demonstrate their progress and specialized skills.

19. I passed a CIW exam before 2011. With the changes to the CIW program, I'm now certified with a new title. Should I have received a new paper certificate for this certification automatically?

No, not automatically. Those who were migrated to a new certification title for a previously passed exam did not automatically receive a new paper certificate. Electronic copies of CIW certificates are available download or publishing in the CIW Candidate Information Center. Note that in order to reduce costs and preserve resources, CIW no longer physically mails paper certificates.

20. I was already a certified CIW Associate before 2011. Was my certification automatically reissued as CIW Web Foundations Associate? And can I have the three modular certifications as well?

Under the new program, the previously named CIW Associate certification is equivalent to the new CIW Web Foundations Associate certification. However, we do not automatically reissue new certificates to previous certificants. The certification you earned is still valid and still relevant in the industry, but it is an earlier version. Taking new versions of exams and earning the latest version of each certification demonstrates to the job marketplace your current skills, your commitment to evolving technologies and your initiative. The three modular Associate certifications are awarded only to those who pass the modular exams.

21. Under the new CIW certification roadmap, do I need to become a CIW Web Foundations Associate before I can earn other CIW certifications?

No. You no longer need to pass the CIW Foundations exam(s) to qualify for more advanced CIW certifications. However, most individuals should consider earning the CIW Web Foundations Associate certification(s) to ensure and prove that they have the proper base of skills for their career.

22. Under the new CIW Web Foundations Associate program, can I still say I am "Foundations-certified" or that I am a "CIW Associate"?

Yes. If you earn all three modular CIW Associate certifications or the comprehensive CIW Web Foundations Associate certification, then you are considered a CIW Web Foundations Associate. However, you will need to be more specific if you pass only one or two of the CIW modular Associate exams. For example, if you earn only the CIW Internet Business Associate certification, you are not necessarily a CIW Web Foundations Associate.

23. Why is CIW Associate Design Specialist no longer awarded?

We replaced the CIW Associate Design Specialist certification with the CIW Site Development Associate certification and the more advanced CIW Web Design Specialist. These two certification options provide you with several benefits:

• The Web design job market expects individuals to demonstrate the learning paths they took to obtain professional Web knowledge. We have therefore changed our certification map to reflect your learning path more completely.
• Instead of receiving one certification, you now receive two certifications to demonstrate your level of expertise.
• You will now be better prepared to earn additional certifications, such as the CIW E-Commerce Specialist and CIW Web Design Professional certifications.